Optical memory medium and optical memory medium reproducing device

Abstract

An optical memory medium includes at least one multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM that uses diffracted light based on incident light to a multi-layered waveguide hologram to read out data, and at least one memory that is integrally constituted with the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM and is used to read and write data. A reproduction apparatus for the optical memory medium includes a light inputting unit for inputting light into the multi-layered waveguide hologram of the optical memory medium, a light receiving element for receiving light diffracted by the multi-layered waveguide hologram from the light input by the light inputting unit and for converting into an electric signal, and a data record reproduction unit for reading and writing data with respect to the memory of the optical memory medium.

1 . An optical memory medium comprising: 
 at least one multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM for storing data to be read out by using diffracted light based on incident light to a multi-layered waveguide hologram to read out data; and    at least one memory integrally constituted with the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM for reading and writing data.    
   
   
       2 . An optical memory medium as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a guide for fixing the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM so that the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM is removable.  
   
   
       3 . An optical memory medium as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the guide is provided with a groove having a predetermined width and length, and wherein at least one hologram ROM is fixed by the groove.  
   
   
       4 . An optical memory medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the memory for reading and writing is an IC memory, 
 and further comprising:    a plurality of terminals for the IC memory placed in a predetermined circumferential portion of the optical memory medium; and    an incident portion of reference light for the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM placed in another circumferential portion adjacent to the predetermined circumferential portion for the terminals for the IC memory.    
   
   
       5 . An optical memory medium as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the optical memory medium has external dimensions of 32 mm×24 mm×2.1 mm, or has all or any of the external dimensions less than 32 mm×24 mm×2.1 mm.  
   
   
       6 . An optical memory medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM and the memory are made in a shape of a plate, respectively, and are integrally stacked in the direction of a thickness thereof.  
   
   
       7 . An optical memory medium as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM and the memory are made in a shape of a plate, respectively, and are integrally arranged in the direction of a width or depth thereof.  
   
   
       8 . An optical memory medium as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a light absorbent on a surface tangent to a surface opposite to a surface from which the diffracted light of the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM is taken out.  
   
   
       9 . A reproduction apparatus for an optical memory medium comprising: 
 an optical memory medium including: 
 at least one multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM for storing data to be read out by using diffracted light based on incident light to a multi-layered waveguide hologram; and  
 at least one memory integrally constituted with the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM for reading and writing data;  
   a light inputting unit for inputting light into the multi-layered waveguide hologram;    a light receiving unit for receiving light diffracted at the multi-layered waveguide hologram based on the light input by the light inputting unit to convert into an electric signal; and    a data record reproducing unit for reading and writing data with regard to the memory.    
   
   
       10 . A reproduction apparatus for an optical memory medium as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a determination unit for determining whether or not a medium being inserted is the optical memory medium, depending on whether or not the diffracted light emitted from the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM is detected by the light receiving unit.  
   
   
       11 . A determining method of determining a type of medium mounted in a reproduction apparatus for an optical memory medium by a determination unit provided with the reproduction apparatus for the optical memory medium that includes at least one multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM for storing data to be read out by using diffracted light based on incident light to a multi-layered waveguide hologram, and at least one memory integrally constituted with the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM for reading and writing data, the method comprising: 
 detecting that a medium is mounted;    emitting light to a predetermined place of the mounted medium;    monitoring whether or not diffracted light from the multi-layered waveguide hologram ROM is detected; and    determining that the mounted medium is the optical memory medium when the diffracted light is detected.    
   
   
       12 . A determining method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the determining procedure determines that the mounted medium is an IC memory card when no diffracted light is detected.  
   
   
       13 . A determining method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the determination unit stops emitting the light when it is determined that the mounted medium is not the optical memory medium.  
   
   
       14 . A determining method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the monitoring procedure includes using a two-dimensional light receiving element for the detection of the diffracted light, and monitoring whether or not at least one area of the two-dimensional light receiving element has detected the diffracted light.  
   
   
       15 . A determining method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein, when the hologram ROM can be removable with the optical memory medium mounted into the reproduction apparatus, after the detecting of the mounted medium, the procedure from the emitting of light to the determining of the mounted medium is repeated in a predetermined time interval.